Zimbabwean cricketer urges 'brave stance'

One of the Zimbabwean cricketers who wore a black armband in protest at human rights abuses in the country today urged others taking part in the World Cup to take a "brave stance".

In what was a clear message to the England cricket team, Henry Olonga said the more people hesitated in objecting to Robert Mugabe's regime, the less could be achieved in restoring "sanity and dignity" to Zimbabwe.

Fast bowler Olonga, who is black, and his team-mate Andy Flower, who is white, face serious repercussions after wearing the armbands during Zimbabwe's opening match against Namibia in Harare yesterday.

The armbands signified the "death of democracy in Zimbabwe", the players said.

"At the end of the day, this decision was based on moral convictions and a sense of a deep belief in that we had to do what was right to appease our conscience," Olonga said.

"Obviously we had to weigh up the possible consequences not only to ourselves but to the Cricket World Cup and to cricket in Zimbabwe."

He and Flower "certainly went into this with open eyes", aware of the risks their on-field protest carried.

The International Cricket Council and the Zimbabwean Cricket Union are conducting inquiries into the protest.

Olonga added: "We are motivated by something deeper than just preference, we are motivated by convictions.

"So sometimes when you vocalise your convictions then there certainly are consequences which one has to consider, and I think Andrew and myself have made those considerations.

"We will have to deal with whatever repercussions come along our way in the best way that we can, but we believe in the greater good."

In what will be seen as a message to the England team, the 26-year-old added: "It's probably time that people began to stand up for what is right.

"And the more people hesitate, the more people hold back, the less we can achieve collectively to bring about a restoration of sanity and dignity to the nation of Zimbabwe."

He said it was difficult for him to judge whether others would follow their lead, but added: "I certainly hope that, in keeping with what I've just said, people will begin to stand up and take a brave stance.

"It must be stressed, however, that whenever you

make a stance of this magnitude or of this kind, you have to weigh up the costs, and I don't know how many people are willing to pay the costs that

may be required.

"I certainly hope people will be inspired to do something with the power that they feel is in their hands, but I hope that by our stand people will be inspired to follow suit."